Isle data company opens centers in L.A., Tokyo

Honolulu-born Pihana Pacific Inc. has followed through with its expansion plan and opened Internet data centers in Los Angeles and Tokyo.

Fueled by $236 million in private equity financing, the company has opened facilities and sales offices in seven major cities in the Pacific Rim in the past year. Pihana builds and manages data storage centers where customers can store their computer networks in a secure environment. Founded in Honolulu in January 2000, the company now has regional headquarters in Singapore and an executive center in Hong Kong. The company said it plans to open more data centers in Hong Kong, Sydney and Seoul next month.

Attorney general threatens to sue over UAL-US Air deal

ST. PAUL, Minn. >> Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch vowed today to sue United Airlines and US Airways if the two companies merge.

Although 19 states are investigating whether proposed $4.3 billion merger would hurt consumers, Hatch is the first state attorney general to publicly say he would sue the airlines should the deal go through.

United's year-old proposal to acquire US Airways is still awaiting federal regulatory approval.

Regulators reportedly have lingering antitrust concerns, and the weaker economy and lower stock prices may imperil the deal.